A lot of people don’t understand project-based learning. Everyone is used to coming to class, the teacher prepares a lesson and after a couple of weeks, you’re tested on what you remember. The difference with project-based learning is that you’re actively involved. With project-based learning, the objective is to work on an assignment for an extended period of time which forces you to investigate and respond to that assignment. Students who have completed project-based learning have been known to have increased problem-solving skills as well as much more.

When students participate in PBL, they develop skills that are similar to jobs they may experience in future. PBL gives the opportunity for students to improve on planning, critical thinking, reasoning, and creativity. And in this generation, that’s what most employers are looking for. They want their employees to be creative when doing tasks and while hitting the deadlines. PBL helps students experience real world jobs without actually working at the job.

Mr. Simmons a middle school teacher first PBL project was about microorganisms. The reason this whole project came about was because half his class was out with the flu. When everyone came back he asked a question to his students ‘why they thought so many of his classmates got sick at the same time’? , which then produced a lot of questions for the students and they all wanted to know why. Mr.Simmons then proposed a project where each group of students had to explain to elementary school students on how to stay healthy and avoid sickness. He left it up to the students to ask questions, do the research, collaborate and give each other feedback to produce the best ways to explain their points to the children. With each group producing different ideas to the children, Mr.Simmons’ class learned a lot from this project. Not only did they learn about microorganisms, but they found out ways to prevent getting sick and that’s something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

PBL is a different way of teaching, and I believe that in 10 years, most schools across the country will prioritize PBL. When students do projects, then present it to the class or to the school, they’ll remember much more. This is because, in order to present the material, they have to know the material to the point that they can teach it to whomever they are presenting to. Along the way of the project, students are gaining skills that just a normal teaching scenario won’t give them. It’s important at a young age for students to practice critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. Those types of skills can be produced by doing PBL, and eventually, leads students to do bigger and better things for their futures and career paths.